Jamie Carragher questions Saliba leadership without Gabriel in a frank Sky Sports breakdown following Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool. The pundit believes William Saliba “isn’t the same player” when not partnered by Gabriel Magalhães — and suggested the French defender must evolve if he wants to reach Virgil van Dijk’s level.
Gabriel has missed Arsenal's final stretch of the season with a hamstring injury, and since then, Saliba’s form has noticeably dipped. Carragher argues that while Saliba may be technically superior, Gabriel brings leadership that holds Arsenal’s defence together — a quality Saliba must learn to deliver himself.
Arsenal’s Defensive Stats With and Without Gabriel
| Match Stat | With Gabriel | Without Gabriel |
|---|---|---|
| Average Goals Conceded | 0.79 | 1.60 |
| Clean Sheets | 14 in 28 | 1 in 5 |
| Major Errors (Opta) | 2 | 4 |
Carragher: Saliba Has the Tools, But Lacks Influence
Jamie Carragher praised Saliba’s technical ability but warned that he has not stepped up as a vocal leader in Gabriel’s absence:
“Saliba is the better player, but Gabriel is the better leader… Since Gabriel has come out of the team, that’s not the same Saliba I’m watching.” — Jamie Carragher, Sky Sports
Carragher believes top-level centre-backs influence more than just their own performance — they elevate the defenders around them, citing Van Dijk and Tony Adams as examples. He called on Saliba to become more than just a great individual and take command of Arsenal’s defensive unit.
What Saliba Must Add to His Game
Jamie Carragher told Sky Sports
that while Saliba is “one of the top centre-backs in European football,” he still lacks the leadership qualities to reach the very top — especially in the absence of Gabriel.
“Saliba is the better player, but Gabriel is the better leader. Saliba needs Gabriel. Since Gabriel has come out of the team, that’s not the same Saliba I’m watching.” — Jamie Carragher, Sky Sports
Carragher was critical of Saliba’s performances in recent matches, citing errors against Real Madrid, Crystal Palace, and Liverpool.
“The amount of mistakes he’s made in the last couple of months — it feels like he makes a big mistake every time I watch him.” — Jamie Carragher, Sky Sports
He praised Saliba’s technical attributes but insisted that elite centre-backs must elevate others.
“He’s great in the air, he’s got great pace and he’s good on the ball — you want all of that. But you need to affect other people.” — Jamie Carragher, Sky Sports
Carragher then compared Saliba’s current level to legends like Van Dijk and Tony Adams:
“Think of the great centre-backs — Tony Adams, Virgil van Dijk. They’re not just great players; they make everyone else around them look like great players.” — Jamie Carragher, Sky Sports
And finally, he issued a challenge:
“If you want to be at that very top level, you can’t be the player who only looks good next to a leader — you have to be the leader.” — Jamie Carragher, Sky Sports
What Saliba Must Add to His Game
- Leadership Presence: Saliba must take command of the back line, especially when Gabriel is unavailable.
- Consistency Under Pressure: Recent mistakes against Real Madrid and Liverpool have raised questions.
- Verbal Communication: Carragher pointed out that Saliba doesn’t visibly organize or lead his fellow defenders.
- Mental Toughness: He needs to show he can step up when the team is under pressure — a key trait of elite centre-backs.
What’s Next for Arsenal’s Defence?
With Gabriel ruled out for the rest of the season, Mikel Arteta will likely continue rotating his defensive options alongside Saliba. But the long-term concern may not just be personnel — it’s about whether Saliba can evolve into a complete, commanding presence.
Should Saliba be criticised — or is this a natural dip without his trusted partner?
Can he become the leader Arsenal need at the back?
Drop your thoughts below and join the conversation.
0 Comments
First read message
Leave a comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *